Mike Rochon, Managing Broker

11/06/2026

Parents can often help adult children buy a home through gift funds, co-signing, shared ownership, or other options. The key is understanding what works financially and what everyone expects before moving forward.Gift money may help with a down payment or closing costs. In other cases, parents may co-sign, co-borrow, lend money, or purchase the home jointly. Each approach can affect financing, taxes, credit, ownership, and future responsibilities.Before looking at homes, talk through how much help is realistic, whether the money is a gift or loan, whose names will be on the mortgage and title, and what happens if circumstances change.Let's get together to review the options, discuss the market, and connect you with a trusted mortgage professional. You can make a better decision when you're fully informed.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/MichaelRochon/2026/11/06/Can-Parents-Help-You-Buy-a-Home

Happy Real Estating - Helping people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between!
(360) 731-0076 [email protected]

Estate Estate

11/06/2026

Selling Your Home? What You Should Know About Price Cuts vs. Rate Buydowns.

What if you could make your house more attractive to buyers without lowering your asking price?

With 43% of sellers cutting prices right now, according to HousingWire, it's a question worth asking – especially because there's another way to give buyers what they really want: a lower monthly payment.

It's called a mortgage rate buydown. And the difference can be pretty remarkable.
Here's an example.

Let's say you're willing to offer a buyer $10,000 to help get your house sold.

A $10,000 price reduction could save that buyer about $70 a month.

But putting that same $10,000 toward a temporary mortgage rate buydown could save them roughly $500 a month in the first year.

Same amount from you. A much bigger impact on their immediate budget.

Now, those savings won't last forever with a temporary buydown. But for the right buyer, that upfront relief could be exactly what makes your house stand out.

Thinking about selling? Send me a message. Let's explore which incentives could attract buyers while protecting your bottom line.

11/05/2026

What if you could buy the home you want today and save hundreds of dollars on your monthly mortgage payment during the first two years? A 2/1 buydown could make that possible.Here's how it works:Year 1: Your interest rate is reduced by 2 percentage points.Year 2: Your rate is reduced by 1 percentage point.Year 3 onward: You pay the original note rate.For example, with a 6.5% mortgage rate, your payments would initially be calculated at 4.5%, then 5.5%, before returning to 6.5%.The temporary savings are funded upfront, sometimes through a seller or builder concession. You must still qualify at the full note rate.Contact me and I'll give you the details for the price of the home you want, including estimated monthly savings and how a 2/1 buydown might work for you.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/MichaelRochon/2026/11/05/Save-Hundreds-on-Your-Payment

Happy Real Estating - Helping people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between!
(360) 731-0076 [email protected]

Estate Estate

11/05/2026

What the Silver Tsunami Means if You’re Planning To Sell

The term “silver tsunami” makes it sound like a wave of houses is about to hit the market all at once. The research says otherwise.

According to Realtor.com, about 13.9 million homes owned by older Americans are expected to change hands by 2036. That's a big number. But it's spread across a decade, at roughly 1.3 to 1.5 million homes a year.

The pace is important. After the 2008 housing crash, builders spent years not building enough homes to keep up with demand, and the country still hasn't caught up. As longtime homeowners sell over time, their houses will help ease a shortage that's already there.

For buyers, that can mean more options. For sellers, it means there's no reason to put your plans on hold because of a trend that’s expected to play out over the next 10 years.

What matters more is what's happening in your area right now: how many homes are for sale nearby, what similar houses are selling for, and what buyers want.

Planning a move in the next year or so? Let's talk about what the local numbers mean for your house.

11/04/2026

Buyers may have more negotiating power today than they realize. The opportunity isn't limited to offering less than the asking price; closing cost assistance, rate buydowns, repairs, credits, and favorable terms can sometimes be worth even more. The key is knowing the seller's motivation and deciding what matters most to you before making an offer. If you're thinking about buying, contact me and let's develop a negotiating strategy before you find the home you want.

Happy Real Estating - Helping people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between!
(360) 731-0076 [email protected]

Estate Estate

Today's changing market is giving many buyers more negotiating power, but getting the best deal requires knowing what to ask for and which terms may provide the greatest benefit.

11/04/2026

What Experts Forecast for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2027

Want to know what’s next for rates and prices? The forecasts are in.

And the outlook for the housing market in 2027 comes down to one word: steady.

The latest forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Wells Fargo show mortgage rates holding fairly flat through 2027. No big drop expected. No big spike either.

Lenders agree. In a recent HousingWire survey, 70% of mortgage executives said they expect rates to be around 7.5% or higher six months from now.

Home prices are on a steady path too. On average, those same forecasts show national prices rising about 1% to 1.5% a year through 2027.

So what does that mean for you?

If you’re buying, slower price growth gives you a little more breathing room. And instead of waiting on a rate drop that may not come, you can focus on what you can control, like a monthly payment that feels comfortable today.

If you’re selling, your house should keep holding its value, which makes it easier to plan your move around your goals and timeline.

Just keep in mind, these are national numbers. What’s happening in your neighborhood could look different.

Curious what a move could look like at today’s rates and prices? Let’s run the numbers together.

11/03/2026

Retirement often changes more than your work schedule; it can change what you need from your home. Should you move before retiring while employment income may make financing easier, or wait until you better understand your retirement lifestyle? The answer depends on your equity, expenses, future income, location, and long-term housing needs. If retirement is approaching, this is a good time to explore your options before you have to make a decision. I'd be happy to help you evaluate what your current home is worth and discuss the housing choices that could fit your next chapter.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/MichaelRochon/2026/11/03/I-m-Retiring-Soon-Should-I-Move-Before-or-After-Retirement

11/03/2026

How To Win Back Your Buying Power

The recent jump in mortgage rates cut about $22k from what a buyer with a $2,000 monthly budget can spend. But you can win most of that back at the negotiating table. More than 4 in 10 homes for sale have had a price cut. And the typical cut is about $18k on a median-priced home. That’s just a price cut alone. You may also be able to ask for repair credits, closing cost help, and more. Let’s find the homes where sellers may have some wiggle room and see what we can negotiate.

11/02/2026

A price reduction isn't always the best way to make your home more attractive. Offering a buyer closing-cost assistance may provide a bigger immediate benefit because it reduces the cash they need at closing. Depending on the loan and transaction, those funds might also be used for an interest-rate buydown, making the monthly payment more affordable. Meanwhile, a modest price reduction may only lower the payment by a relatively small amount.The best strategy depends on your price, market conditions, buyer demand, and financing rules. Before automatically reducing your price, let's compare the alternatives. I can help you evaluate which incentive could attract buyers while protecting as much of your proceeds as possible.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/MichaelRochon/2026/11/02/Which-Incentive-Helps-Buyers-More

Happy Real Estating - Helping people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between!
(360) 731-0076 [email protected]

Estate Estate

11/02/2026

The Home Insurance Move That Could Save You $440 a Year

When was the last time you shopped around for home insurance? Because that one move could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

With home insurance taking up a bigger chunk of monthly housing costs, that's an opportunity worth looking into.

And the numbers are pretty eye-opening.

According to Intercontinental Exchange, homeowners who switched insurance companies saved an average of $440 a year. Their premiums dropped 6.6%, while homeowners who stayed with their existing provider saw costs climb 10.4%.

That's a big difference just for shopping around.

And here's more good news: Home insurance costs are still rising, but the pace of those increases is finally slowing down.

So, what does this mean if you're buying a home?

Don't assume the first insurance quote you get is the best one. Comparing providers could help you keep your monthly payment more manageable.

And if you're open to new construction, there's another potential advantage. Newly built homes typically cost 10–15% less to insure than older ones, according to John Burns Research and Consulting.

Want help finding ways to make your next move more affordable? Send me a message. Let's talk.